Owning a Golden Retriever is always a matter of pride, and whenever you look at its rich golden hair, you may fall in love all over again. But what about the time when you find it shedding excessive hair in an unusual pattern along with a persistent experience of itching? If this happens to your dog chances are that your dog is experiencing allergies. Apart from Golden Retriever allergies, these symptoms may occur as a result of parasitical intervention or any form of infection. Golden Retriever allergies may be of four types - flea allergies, atopy, food allergies and contact allergies.

Flea allergies, also referred to as skin inflammation, occurs due to an allergic reaction to flea saliva. If this happens to your dog, the first thing you will notice on his body is a small red papule, which is gradually changed into a crust. The commonly affected areas are lower back, back legs, hind legs, upper thighs and belly areas. Flea allergies is one of the most common forms of skin allergies and when you find your dog is excessively scratching and itching, you can consider this as the primary symptom of Golden Retriever allergies.

One of the most common Golden Retriever allergies occurs as a result of reaction to flea' saliva. When it occurs, the affected area turns out to be dark in color and thickened. It only happens when the dog is allergic to fleabites. In such case, only one or two bites are enough to be a hazard. If controlling the flea population is possible, the dog can be effectively treated. Apart from that, you have to control flea population in the external environment as well. In modern days with the advancement of medical science, many new products are available to combat against flea allergies.

On the other hand, atopy occurs as a result of allergic reaction to substances that the Golden Retriever either inhales or soaks up through its skin. When Golden Retriever allergies of this type occur, itching is still prevalent but in different areas including feet, groin, face and underarm. If left untreated, it may lead to redness, thickening of skin area, rawness, infection, crusting and increased coloring. Apart from these common symptoms, persistent infection in the ear is also common. Common substances that may result in Golden Retriever allergies are fungal spores, pollen, cat dander, weeds and grasses. Treatment includes antibiotics, antihistamines and cortisone either by shampooing or spraying.

Likewise any other dogs, the Golden Retriever is not free from food allergies. Symptoms of food allergies roughly resemble the symptoms of atopy, although there are a lot of differences in the root of the problem. Dairy, soy beef, wheat and some poultry products may contribute to food allergy for some dogs including the Golden Retriever.

Only by changing the entire diet pattern can you identify whether your dog is suffering from a food allergy or not. You need to feed the dog continuously for eight weeks. This is the observation period when you need to observe any possible allergic reactions in the dog.

On the other hand, contact allergies are mostly prevalent among Golden Retrievers having other forms of allergies like fleabites or atopy. In such cases, some of the areas become hairless, and the dog attracts a contact allergy.

Paw, underarms and belly are the most affected regions. Chemicals used in carpet cleaning, polishes, grasses, waxes, and pollens may contribute to contact allergies in Golden Retrievers.

Carol Matthews is an avid lover of the Golden Retriever and has a popular website that can teach you how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved . Among other topics at this website, you will find out more about plus a whole lot more.